Seeing Quentin fuming but unable to find the words to counter her was a rare sight. Amanda couldn't help but smile, though she suppressed her "evil" urge to tease him further. "This scene is the soul of the movie," she said, her voice turning serious. "I'm not letting you cut it."
She knew that an ending like this—tragic, lingering, and poetic—was exactly what made an audience remember a film forever. In her previous life, the premiere of Love is Tested had been a massive success, but her own overbearing arrogance had led to a social media boycott that ruined her career. This time, she was determined to let her talent and hard work speak for her.
She had to film this breakthrough scene.
But Quentin wasn't thinking about her career trajectory. He was thinking about his wife. His brow furrowed in a rare display of genuine anger. "Do you truly expect me, as your husband, to sit here and watch another man kiss you?"
Amanda bit her lip. She knew he was being possessive, but she couldn't back down. She reached out, tugging gently at the corner of his shirt, and tried to negotiate in a low whisper. "If you let me film this, I'll give you ten kisses when we get home, okay?"
She looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes. Under normal circumstances, Quentin would have melted instantly. But the thought of Jasper's lips on hers was a bridge too far.
"No," he said firmly. "The scene is being cut. I am the lead investor, and I will not watch my wife be kissed by another guy."
Frustration flared in Amanda's chest. She pulled her hand back aggressively, her temper getting the better of her. "If you don't agree, you can go back to the hotel and pack your things right now! I am filming this scene. If you dare to cut it, we're getting a divorce!"
The air between them went cold. Quentin didn't explode; instead, his breathing became labored, and his eyes filled with a mixture of sharp anger and deep, quiet pain. Amanda felt a pang of regret the moment the word "divorce" left her lips, but before she could apologize, Quentin spoke.
"Fine. Have it your way."
He turned on his heel and walked away. It was the first time he had ever treated her with such coldness, and Amanda felt a stinging sensation in her eyes. She hated seeing his back as he walked away from her, but she steeled herself. She would finish the work first, then find a way to coax him back later.
Taking a deep breath, Amanda returned to the set. Jasper was already back in position after his discussion with Director Mark. He glanced at her tear-streaked face. "Your husband left?"
"Shut up!" Amanda snapped.
"Action!" Director Mark bellowed.
"Hera!" Jasper's voice rang out, trembling with grief. He gathered her into his arms, his body shaking as he whispered, "I was wrong, Hera. Please... don't leave me alone."
As the tragedy of the scene took hold, Apollo lowered his head. But instead of the scripted kiss on the lips, he pressed a long, lingering kiss to her forehead—a gesture overflowing with reverence, love, and silent goodbye.
"Cut! That's a wrap! We're done!"
The set erupted in cheers and applause. Amanda sat up, looking at Jasper in genuine surprise. He looked away, his ears turning pink.
"Don't look at me like that," Jasper grunted. "A kiss on the forehead carries much more weight in a scene like this anyway. I just wanted the movie to be perfect."
He snorted and waved his sleeve, walking off with his usual dramatic flair. Amanda stayed on the ground for a moment, watching him go. "Thank you, Jasper," she whispered. She realized then that he had gone to the director specifically to change the scene, saving her professional integrity while respecting her marriage.
Celia and Winter came running over, carrying fresh flowers and a celebratory cake.
"Mandy, congratulations! You finished!"
"Miss Amanda, that was beautiful!"
Amanda smiled, accepting the gifts. The surrounding crew, even those she had bickered with in the past, gathered around to offer sincere congratulations. The long journey of filming had finally come to an end.
In a quiet corner of the set, Jasper stood watching Amanda laugh with her friends. A rare, warm smile touched his lips.
"If you like her, just confess," his manager said, walking up beside him. "You're acting like a tragic hero in an unrequited romance. It's painful to watch."
Jasper's smile vanished instantly. He shot his manager a look of pure disdain. "She's already someone else's wife."
The manager nearly choked. "Married? She's barely twenty!"
"If she found a guy she liked early, she got married early. What's the mystery?" Jasper snorted, regaining his arrogant posture. "Keep your mouth shut. If word of this gets out, don't blame me when I find a new manager."
He walked away, satisfied, leaving his manager standing there with a pale face. "That kid... he only knows how to threaten me."